A YouTuber, Trevor Jacob has admitted to intentionally crashing his aeroplane in California so he could get more views, US prosecutors say.
Jacob 29, will plead guilty to obstructing a federal investigation by cleaning up the site of the crash. He could face up to 20 years in prison.
In December 2021, Jacob, who is also a former Olympic snowboarder posted the video of the plane crash to YouTube implying it was an accident.
He had filmed himself jumping out of his single-propeller plane above the Los Padres National Forest in November 2021.
In the 12 minute video whichď has over 2.9 million views to date, the influencer pilot swore several times, saying he has “an engine out,” before opening the plane door. He jumps out with a parachute, filming his descent with a selfie stick.
After landing, Jacob tells the camera he doesn’t have cell service.
“I am exhausted. I’m so thirsty. I’m scared, I’m in trouble, I’m cut all over the place,” says Jacob halfway through his trek. “The only option I have is crawling through these bushes like I have been for the last five hours.”
In a plea agreement, he said he filmed the video as part of a product sponsorship deal.
The US justice department in a statement on Thursday said Jacob has agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation.
He “did not intend to reach his destination, but instead planned to eject from his aircraft during the flight and video himself parachuting to the ground and his airplane as it descended and crashed”, the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said.
The Justice Department noted that Jacob went back to the plane so he could retrieve footage of the crash despite telling investigators that he didn’t know the location of the wreckage.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
